The spinal cord serves as the primary pathway that all signals between the brain and the rest of the body’s nervous system travel along. Any disruption to that pathway can have debilitating effects. Even worse, the spinal cord cannot heal from external trauma the way most other body parts can, so injuries to this area are often permanent.
If someone else’s negligence has left you with any amount of spine damage, you should seek help from a catastrophic injury attorney with experience handling situations like yours successfully in the past. Comprehensive civil recovery can be vital to maximizing your quality of life after sustaining harm this severe. Reach out to a Williamsville spinal cord injury lawyer from Richmond Vona, LLC, today to begin reviewing the details of your case.
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The Unique Dangers of Spinal Cord Trauma
Spinal cord injuries can result from various accidents, including car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian collisions, construction incidents, and hazardous conditions on public or private property. Because these injuries are often debilitating and permanent in nature, they tend to cause especially serious and life-altering losses for those who experience them. As a Williamsville spinal cord trauma attorney can further explain, the value of an ensuing civil claim depends mainly on where the injury occurs and how “complete” the damage is.
Typically, injuries higher up the spinal cord cause much more widespread loss of motor and sensory function below the impact site, with injuries close to the neck sometimes resulting in quadriplegia across the entire body except for the head. On the other hand, injuries to the lumbar spine closer to the tailbone and buttocks may only cause paraplegia of the lower limbs. While this is still a life-altering injury, it may still allow an injured person some measure of independence afterward.
Complete spinal cord injuries that involve the cord being cut completely in two at the injury site will invariably cause total and permanent paralysis below that point, with virtually no chance of long-term recovery. Conversely, “incomplete” spinal cord injuries where the cord is only torn slightly or bruised may offer some hope of rehabilitation, but only with intensive and expensive medical treatment for months or even years afterward.
Holding Someone Else Accountable for a Spine Injury
No matter how severe an injury is, holding someone else legally liable for causing it usually requires establishing that the other person was “negligent” in some way. In practice, this means proving that a specific reckless act from another individual was the primary and direct cause of an injury and ensuing losses.
Both short-term and long-term forms of harm may be incorporated into a comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand, including:
Medical bills, plus related costs for things like assistive equipment and medications
Lost working ability and/or income
Personal property damage
Physical pain and discomfort
Emotional suffering and anguish
Support from a seasoned attorney is key to identifying, evaluating, and proactively demanding compensation for every recoverable loss stemming from a spinal cord injury in Williamsville.
Work with a Williamsville Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal cord trauma is among the most serious repercussions any accident can have. If you sustained harm of this nature because another person was irresponsible around you, you have a right to demand that person reimburse you for the negative effects their misconduct has and will have on you moving forward.
A consultation with a Williamsville spinal cord injury lawyer can offer you the clarity and confidence you need to effectively enforce your rights. Call Richmond Vona, LLC today to learn more.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
